Yorkshire’s Top Football Teams

Amongst the extensive list of things that make the county of Yorkshire so special, is most definitely football. Not only is Yorkshire home to Sheffield F.C, the FIFA certified oldest continually operating football club in the world, but several of England’s most historically successful football clubs too. With only Huddersfield representing for the county in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season, top-tier glory might be thin on the ground these days – but Yorkshire will always have a long and proud footballing history. Here are the three biggest clubs that have contributed to that.

And just in case you wanted to know – we used total league or cup wins, percentage of time spent in the top-flight and average attendances over the past 20 years as our benchmarks. So, if your club wasn’t on here they’re statistically not as successful. Sorry!

Sheffield Wednesday F.C

Founded in 1867 as simply The Wednesday, The Owls are one of the oldest clubs in the UK and the world. They have won four league titles, three FA Cups and one League Cup in their 170-year history. They’ve also played at the same Hillsborough Stadium, in the Sheffield suburb of Owlerton that gave them their nickname, since 1899. Despite being a founding member of both the Football League (1892) and the Premier League (1992), the Owls have had no representation in the top flight since their relegation from the Premier League in 2000. Today they play in the second-tier of English football, the EFL Championship, and are currently managed by Dutchman, Jos Luhukay.

Leeds United F.C

Founded in 1919, Leeds United have won three league titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and two European Fairs Cups. They also reached a European Cup final in 1975 and a Champions League semi-final in 2001 – making them the most recently successful team on this list. They currently play in the EFL Championship at the 40,000 capacity Elland Road stadium, having risen back up from League Two. The 2002 – 2007 period for Leeds is one of the most infamous implosions in English football, resulting in them being fined 10 points for financial insolvency and relegated to the third-tier in 2007.

Huddersfield Town A.F.C

Currently the only Yorkshire team in the Premier League of English football, Huddersfield have a very successful history. In the 1920s they were one of the biggest teams in the land, winning three back-to-back league titles and an FA Cup between 1922 and 1926. Legendary manage Herbert Chapman, guided them a triple threat that only three other clubs (Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United) have achieved. However, they were relegated from the first division of English football in 1972 and did not return until 45 years later in 2017. Under the nickname the Terriers, Huddersfield currently play at the Kirklees Stadium under the management of highly-rated David Wagner.